Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015): Movie Review

When it comes to clay animated features, Aardman Animations
are perhaps the masters. Their resume includes the 2000’s sleeper hit Chicken Run, 2005’s Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the
Were-Rabbit and 2011’s Arthur
Christmas. Now, the studio create the big-screen adaptation of Shaun the Sheep, a popular television
series based on a character introduced in the 1995’s Wallace and Gromit short called A
Close Shave. Written and directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak, Shaun the Sheep Movie features our
bleating friends’ great adventures in the unfamiliar and quite scary Big City.

The film opens depicting the daily grind at Mossy Bottom
Farm where the balding, ginger-haired, bespectacled Farmer and his bright,
sheepdog Bitzer tend a flock of eight. The usual jovial routine, especially involving
shearing, becomes weary and mundane for Shaun and his buddies, prompting them
to seek a temporary break from the monotony. Conniving with an opportunistic duck,
the herd lulls the Farmer to sleep inside a travel trailer. Immediately, they
take over the house. However, Bitzer spoils the fun and stops the party.

A more challenging incident ensues. The caravan unmoors and
the Farmer is transported to the Londonesque Big City. While Bitzer chases after
him, the Naughty Pigs occupy the house. Unable to reach the feeds stored high
in the barn, Shaun figures out his next move. Instinctively, he embarks on a
double-decker bus and no sooner plump ewe Shirley, feeble lamb Timmy and the rest
of the flock follow him into the Big City.

Meanwhile, the Farmer suffers memory loss due to a heavy
blow to his head. After being hospitalized, the Farmer fortunately ends up
being a celebrity hairstylist using his sheep-shearing skill. Disguising themselves
as human, the sheep roam around the city in search of their master. However, merciless
officer Trumper catches Shaun during a restaurant ruckus. Encountering Bitzer
and homeless dog Slip inside the jail-like animal compound, Shaun plans a great
escape and a massive search mission for the amnesia-inflicted Farmer.

Following its television series format, Shaun the Sheep Movie is absolutely child-friendly, tastefully hilarious,
and charmingly sweet. Being deprived with dialogues, animals communicate
through squeaks, some baas and other expressions and gestures, while human
beings converse in gibberish. Its characters are lovable, especially titular
Shaun with his insane curiosity, witty innocence and hands-down ingenuity. Though
low-key, other members of the flock provide extra excitement and comic relief.

Inarguably, the film is humor-plenty and its gags
understandable, even by preschoolers. The scene where the sheep’s mouths slip
sideways sporadically is always a welcome surprise, as well as Bitzer’s
predictable weakness to anything boney. The movie even includes a butt joke which
does not come offensive and disrespectful. Other decent humorous set pieces
include those in the fancy restaurant, the luxurious hair salon, the oppressive
animal compound and its dig on social media. Perhaps, the most clever and
funniest point of the movie is the live chain of sheep jumping off a fence,
lulling the Farmer and the enemy officer to sleep. Additionally, the non-verbal comedy
is made more alive and dynamic with the film’s well-detailed background,
including the farm and it’s the puddles and the street scenes in the Big City.

Shaun the Sheep Movie
also has a story that is easy to follow and understand. Simply said, it is
about the flock’s adventure in the Big City as they look for their “missing”
master. But more than the story, it is the film’s little lessons that make it touching,
special and memorable. Shaun, the herd, Bitzer and the Farmer share a common
bond and a warm feeling of affection akin to a family. So when the Farmer, who
is yet to recover his memory, drives Shaun out of the salon, it is very heart-breaking,
more when the black-faced sheep shed a tear or two. It incites a feeling of
defeat and immense sadness. The movie also slips a message or two about pet
adoption and wearing of protective devices.

Lastly, the film gives homage to a number of films. Most apparent
is 1998's Babe: Pig in the City upon which
the present movie’s plot is mostly similar with. Other movie references include The Silence of the Lambs (the
Hannibal Lecter-looking cat), Cape Fear
and The Night of the Hunter.

Overall, Shaun the Sheep Movie is funny, sweet, gentle
and moving. It is true to its dialogue-free clay animated presentation. In its
short screen time of roughly 85 minutes, it leaves lasting messages about love,
loyalty and support.

About Me

We may pursue many dreams but it is always our passions that will give our lives deeper meaning. I am an agricultural engineer by records, a university instructor by profession, and a blogger by heart...